In short
Mombasa has been a Swahili port since the twelfth century, in turn Portuguese, Omani and British. Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese in 1593, is a World Heritage site.
Diani to the south and Watamu to the north hold the beaches: white sand, a lagoon sheltered by the reef, water at twenty-six degrees all year.
What it really costs
The Kenyan coast is cheaper than Zanzibar for equivalent comfort, and far cheaper than Mauritius or the Seychelles.
The national parks, Tsavo East and West two hours away, charge a dollar entry fee that is markedly higher for non-residents. A safari is a separate budget.
What nobody tells you
The ETA replaced the visa in 2024 and applies to all nationalities, including those previously exempt. It is applied for before boarding.
Two monsoons frame the year: the long rains from April to June close some businesses, the short ones in November. January–February and July–September are the windows.
Official travel advice remains restrictive on the north coast, towards the Somali border. Diani, Watamu and Mombasa are not included, but the itinerary should be checked.